At Longchamps, Sindarr wins the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, the fourth Irish-trained horse to do so. Ridden by Johnny Murtagh, Sindarr's triumph caps incredible Irish and Epsom derby wins. In Japan, the great Ferrari wait is ended as Michael Schumacher captures the drivers' championship with another win. The Italian team are also on track to take the constructors' championship. The Aussies came to Croke Park for the first of the International Rules Tests in front of a record 38,000 crowd. The visitors coast through a undistinguished game. A week later, the Australians clinch the series after an ugly game which highlights the fitness disparity between the two teams.

Ferrari can do no wrong, wrapping up an amazing year with another first for Michael Schumacher and the constuctors' championship.

Padraig Harrington puts his Belfry nightmare behind him with a win at the Tursepana Masters that leaves him in first place in the Order of Merit. The Irish Paralympic team return home from Sydney with an unprecedented medal haul of five golds, three silver and one bronze. The FAI announce that they are likely to investigate claims by former Irish international Tony Cascarino that he was not properly qualified to play for Ireland.